Chapter 54：Cryptic Heartbreak

The next morning Jordan woke up alone in their bed. Lana was gone.

He checked the bathroom and walked through the house and out the back, the swimming pool but there was no sign of her. He called all her friends and even his friends but they didn't know where she was. Angelo told him that she had left a little after five that morning and handed him a sealed letter that she had left for his attention.

"Jordan I'm sorry but I can't do this. I need to find myself then I hope I can find my way back to you. . Remember when you asked me to wait for you? I meant what I said. Last night you said you will always be there when I call, I hope that offer still stands even after this? Please don't look for me-I'm begging you. I love you Carter..always and forever I'm yours. Lana xx"

He tried to call her but it went straight to voicemail. When he had checked her room, her closet was empty. She had taken everything.

It was Jones's day off so he had no one to offload his heavy heart to. All he did was drink and smoke pot all day to try and numb the pain-to try and forget-that she was gone. Just when he thought they had finally figured things out-she just up and left. He didn't know what to do or how to handle this situation because he had never been here before. He was on the receiving end of heartbreak and it sucked.

Day after day, night after night, he tried her number again and again-read the note a million times over. Left her so many voice notes that her mailbox was full. He threw his phone against the wall as his walls came crashing down. He crawled into her bed and curled himself into a ball as he bawled his eyes out. Her scent was still in her sheets and he reveled in it..wishing and hoping this was all a bad dream-that she would walk through the door any minute and the nightmare would be over.

So this is what heartbreak felt like-it felt like he was dying..like his heart was ripped out and put under a grinder then thrown back into his chest. His mother always used to say there was no cure for heartbreak and right at this moment he realized that she was right.

Although some said time is a healer, he didn't think he would ever get over this. Not in a million years.

He hadn't left his room for almost a week and lived on vodka, beer sticks, and cigarettes. The sounds of sad, slow love songs emanated from the room on high volume 24/7.

The tracks that were usually on repeat were Trey Songs Heart Attack, Call Out My Name by Weekend, Pink Who Knew and Nothing Breaks Like a Heart by Mark Ronson. His whole household probably knew the lyrics to all these songs by heart, purely by default.

"Jordan.." Jones trod softly towards the bed; the curtains in the bedroom were drawn and it was black as the night. "You can't go on like this kid. You've got to wake up and start living again." Silence. He tried again, "I have another theory-what if she left against her will? Maybe someone..i.e. Preston, threatened her or you-and she used herself as a sacrificial lamb?"

Jordan stirred in the bed and Jones had a brief moment of victory. "It's just a theory but I'm investigating all leads. I will find her and try and get her to come and see you..at least you can get closure."

"Anyway your breakfast is right here on the nightstand..if you feel like eating, that is." Jones retreated in defeat.

"How is he?" Ryan rose to meet Jones as he walked into the sitting room.

"A mess." He sighed, and for some moments there was a dead silence.

"So what do we do? I've never seen him like this.." Ryan began to pace the floor again from one corner to the other.

"I've called Kyle. He's probably the only one that can get him out of this rut."

"Why didn't we call him before?"

"Because he has his own children to worry about now. We can't always call him at a drop of a hat like before." Jones collapsed onto the coach and clutched his head. "I have a theory."

"Yes?" The possibility of a conspiracy, though, clearly piqued his interest.

"I think Preston got to her somehow..Bella was all over her claiming she missed her and wanted to hang but I'm not buying that. Something isn't right."

"You think Preston has some dirt on her-or Jordan perhaps?" Ryan raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips, in deep thought.

"Yes and I'm going to find out what it is if it's the last thing I do." He said with renewed determination.

"Tell me what you need?"

"I don't think Dahlia suddenly came back from the dead, so I'm going to need you to pay her a little courtesy visit. Just to confirm my suspicions. Can you do that?" He asked.

"Let's get to work then. I've got someone following Bella around I hope we can get a location soon." Jones advised.

"I'm going to drive out to Dahlia's parents and have a nice chat with whoever that trick is." Ryan picked up his coat from the sofa and put it on.

"Remember to talk about old times and see if she remembers or pretends to remember. Try and check for a tattoo of Jordan's name on her shoulder blade. It was really visible so you won't miss it." Jones said as he walked Ryan to his car.

"I'm on it. But what's Preston's game plan this time?" He asked.

"That's what we need to find out Ry. Hope it won't be too late by then." Jones frowned.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hello, Princess. Glad you could make it," Preston stroked Lana's cheek as she sat in Bella's dingy apartment. "Did you do what I told you?"

"Yes." Lana cringed and dropped her bags on the floor.

"And he doesn't suspect anything?"

"No." She stopped speaking and only gulped down the risings in her throat.

"You left him the letter?"

"Yes."

"Good girl.." He whispered into her ear. "At least now we can have a little fun with your doting husband." He curled his lips in a sneer of restless, incredulous mocking.

"Bella!" He raised his voice. "take Lana to her new cubbyhole." He instructed, "I'm sorry it's not as fancy as what you're used to but you have got no other choice princess."

Bella helped Lana with her bags and led her to a room that was no better than an attic. "I'm sorry about this Lana-I-"

"Save it Bella. Just don't talk okay?!" Lana spat.

"You don't understand..let me explain-" She pleaded.

"Just get out and leave me alone!" Lana pushed her out forcefully, slamming the door in her face.

She threw herself on the uncomfortable bed and wept silently into the dusty pillow. She hoped that Jordan would read the cryptic message she left and come to her rescue..like he usually did.